Chapter 64

Episode 64

A man in a shabby robe entered the spacious and luxurious room.

He looked young, but his attire clashed with the opulent surroundings. The room was filled with expensive artwork and ornate decorations.

Despite his patched-up robe suggesting poverty, he entered Prince Arthur’s quarters without any trouble.

The knights even saluted him.

The young mage, with an indifferent expression, walked past them and stopped at the prince’s bedside.

“How is His Highness?”

The man asked. Prince Arthur, his wrist and one arm severed, lay unconscious.

“The limb reattachment was successful, but a full recovery is unlikely.”

“What do you mean by ‘unlikely’?”

“It’s doubtful he’ll be able to wield a sword again.”

The young mage sighed at the physician’s report.

His name was Muon.

He was a genius mage, known for sensing mana from birth. Born into a noble family, he left to pursue magic at the Magic Tower. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed as the youngest court mage in history.

He was considered the most promising among the three current court mages.

Some even said he was qualified to be the next Tower Master.

Others criticized him for being more interested in climbing the social ladder than honing his magic.

“When will he regain consciousness?”

“He should wake up tomorrow. The medicine needs time to take effect.”

“Hmm.”

Muon pondered for a moment, then left the room. Despite his shabby attire, the people in the inner palace looked at him with awe.

That was the power of a mage.

A careless word or improper behavior could cost you your life in an instant.

He arrived at a lounge reserved for high-ranking nobles.

Count Apellai was the only one occupying the spacious room. He hadn’t left the palace since the duel ended.

The Count, sipping wine, glanced at Muon.

“How is His Highness?”

“The situation isn’t good. The physician said he might never wield a sword again.”

“Tsk.”

Nothing was going his way.

Prince Arthur’s defeat was one thing, but this young mage speaking to him informally was another.

But what infuriated him most was Prince Arthur’s loss.

He hadn’t just lost his right wrist and left arm had been severed. In an empire that revered martial prowess, a permanent disability was a fatal flaw.

In short, his ambition to secure the throne for his chosen heir had been shattered because of a duel meant to protect his pride.

“Did you cast the enchantment spell properly? He shouldn’t have lost so easily.”

“…Are you questioning me?”

“Let’s call it a reasonable doubt. How could he lose after using the Bellatrix swordsmanship with a sword enchanted by a court mage?”

He had no excuse.

It wasn’t that he had underestimated his opponent he simply lacked information. He never imagined that the prince would lose to a mere honorary knight, even if he was a retainer of House Kalisto.

“We lacked information. We were too careless.”

“That sounds like you’re blaming me.”

“No. It’s our collective responsibility for failing to stop the prince’s recklessness.”

With those words, Muon confirmed that he was on the same side as Arthur and Count Apellai.

It was true.

If Prince Arthur ascended to the throne, he planned to reform the court mage system, creating a new organization centered around Muon.

Muon recalled the Inspector blocking the Bellatrix swordsmanship at the training ground. It was an unbelievable display of strength.

“O’Brien Walker… I never imagined a commoner honorary knight would possess such martial prowess. He used an unfamiliar swordsmanship, and his aura was powerful. Even if the prince hadn’t been careless, it would have been a difficult fight.”

“…”

“Perhaps he can sense or manipulate mana.”

Count Apellai glared at Muon again. He set down his glass and turned to face him.

“Are you suggesting that O’Brien is a mage?”

“It’s just a possibility. People who awaken to mana are still appearing all over the continent and coming to the Magic Tower. Some of them must be hiding their powers.”

“That’s impossible.”

Becoming a mage meant being bound to the Magic Tower for life, but it was a prestigious title that came with great power.

If you rose through the ranks and became a court mage, you would be treated as a state guest in the Empire and its vassal states.

“We should investigate, just in case. We can easily come up with an excuse.”

“That’s not a good idea. The engagement with House Kalisto has been broken off. There was a duel, and His Highness suffered a humiliating defeat. We can’t afford to provoke them any further.”

“I understand.”

“We will investigate this matter thoroughly. His Majesty will soon hold an emergency meeting. We will apprehend that O’Brien.”

“Do we have justification? It was a duel officiated by the Captain of the Imperial Guard.”

“If we don’t have justification, we’ll create it.”

The Count attended the emergency meeting convened by the Emperor.

Since many nobles from the provinces had come to the capital for the banquet, all the dukes and marquises were present. The ministers were also in attendance.

The Emperor sat on his throne.

Felipe la Bellatrix.

Despite his epithet, “Ruler of the Battlefield,” the Emperor couldn’t escape the ravages of time. His body was old and frail, barely able to sit upright on the throne.

He looked pale and sickly, as if he wouldn’t last much longer.

“…Is everyone present?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor groaned.

It wasn’t from physical pain, but from the news that his beloved son had been crippled. It was a bolt from the blue.

“…I heard that my son had a duel with a retainer of House Kalisto. He was severely injured. I want to hear your opinions on how to handle this matter.”

No one spoke up.

On the surface, there was nothing wrong with the duel.

Sir Olaf, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, and Sir Penrose, the Chief Knight, were also present. Prince Karma, the first prince, and Prince Chertan, the second prince, were there as well.

They remained silent, observing the situation.

“No one has an opinion? I was hoping to hear your thoughts…”

The Emperor’s subtle threat forced someone to speak.

It was Count Apellai.

He inwardly scoffed at the cowardly nobles and raised his voice.

“This is a grave offense that insults the Imperial Family. We must immediately arrest O’Brien Walker and demand a formal apology and compensation from House Kalisto!”

His booming voice caused a stir in the room. But it was an expected reaction.

Prince Karma, who had been silent, smiled faintly and said, “You seem to be unaware of the nature of duels, Count. They are sacred. They are acts with clear cause and effect, where lives are at stake. I don’t think it’s a crime to lose a limb in a heated battle, especially when no lives were lost. Sir Olaf, what do you think?”

“Hmm. To be frank, I agree with His Highness. There was no foul play or illegal activity in the duel. It was simply the result of an intense fight.”

Count Apellai had anticipated this level of opposition.

So, he immediately countered, “A duel must be between equals for it to be considered legitimate. But his opponent, O’Brien Walker, is a commoner. And he holds the insignificant title of honorary knight. This is a grave sin, where a lowly bloodline has tarnished the authority of the Imperial Family! How can you not see that?”

“Your words have merit, but…”

Sir Olaf gave up arguing. He also felt guilty about the prince’s injury.

Prince Karma stepped forward again.

“If we don’t let this matter rest, it will cause disputes in all future duels within the Empire. Your Majesty, this duel was conducted in the name of the sacred Imperial Family. Please consider this and make a wise decision.”

“Hmm…”

The Emperor couldn’t make a decision. His frail body was failing him.

Just then, something unexpected happened.

Duke Heinz, the head of House Enceladus, one of the two most powerful ducal families in the Empire, spoke up. All eyes turned to him.

Heinz was a short man, but he had a strong presence despite his age.

“There’s a way to resolve this matter wisely, Your Majesty.”

“…Speak.”

“It’s simple if we consider the cause of the duel. As you all know, it stemmed from the unfortunate incident at the banquet.”

Count Apellai and Prince Karma were both confused. Whose side was he on?

“Ultimately, the cause lies with Lady Lucia. She should be held accountable for her actions that led to this disastrous outcome.”

“What kind of accountability would be appropriate?”

Heinz paused for a moment.

He recalled what Lady Lucia had told him during her unexpected visit earlier today.

Even though House Enceladus was a rival of House Kalisto, her proposal was as sweet and tempting as chocolate mixed with milk.

“Please officially break off the engagement with House Kalisto.”

The expressions in the room changed dramatically.

Count Apellai looked stunned, while Prince Karma smiled in satisfaction.

“Break off the engagement?”

“Yes. I believe it’s a compromise that will uphold the Imperial Family’s honor without undermining the spirit of the sacred duel. Please accept my proposal.”

Heinz’s true intentions were finally revealed.

On the surface, it seemed like he was defending House Kalisto, but it was the opposite. He wanted to prevent House Kalisto from gaining more power by breaking off the engagement.

Furthermore, it seemed like he was planning to fill the vacancy with his own daughter.

‘What a cunning old man!’

Count Apellai was flustered by Heinz’s solid logic. He didn’t have enough time to come up with a counterargument.

Finally, the Emperor declared, “Duke Heinz’s words have merit. Minister of Internal Affairs, send a messenger to House Kalisto and inform them of the engagement’s cancellation. And let the other matters rest.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

“This concludes the meeting. You are all dismissed.”

Count Apellai, feeling powerless for the first time in a while, returned to the lounge. Muon was waiting for him.

“Judging from your expression, you failed to create justification.”

“That senile old man from House Enceladus interfered. Things have become complicated.”

Muon smirked. The Count felt a spark of hope ignite within him.

“Do you think things will change just because we eliminate one pawn? This might be a blessing in disguise. I have a good idea.”